Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): La distancia entre la escuela y el parque es buena para correr. - The distance between the school and the park is good for running.

In Spanish, when you modify a noun you use an adjective, not an adverb. La distancia is a feminine singular noun, so you need the feminine singular adjective buena. Bien is an adverb and cannot directly modify a noun.

Why do we say entre la escuela y el parque instead of something like de la escuela al parque?

Entre…y… literally means “between…and…” and highlights the two endpoints defining a span.
De la escuela al parque (“from the school to the park”) is also correct and emphasizes starting and ending points more directly.
Both express the same idea, but entre…y… is often used when focusing on the “in-between” distance itself.

Can I omit the definite articles (la and el) before escuela and parque?

No. In Spanish, you normally include definite articles before specific, known places. Saying entre escuela y parque sounds unnatural; you need entre la escuela y el parque.

Why is es (from ser) used here instead of está (from estar)?

Ser is used to describe inherent characteristics or general facts—here, the distance’s quality. Estar would imply a temporary state or location, which doesn’t fit when stating that the distance is generally good for running.

What does para correr mean, and why is it para + infinitive?

Para + infinitive expresses purpose or suitability: “for running” or “to run.” It tells us what the distance is good for. If you used por, it would express cause (“because of running”), which isn’t the intended meaning.

What’s the difference between para correr and por correr?

Para correr = “in order to run” or “for running” (purpose).
Por correr = “because of running” (reason).
Here you want to express that the distance is suitable for the purpose of running, so para correr is correct.

Could I say para que corras instead of para correr?

Yes, but it changes the structure. You’d need the subjunctive because the subject changes from the distance to “you.”
Example: La distancia entre la escuela y el parque es buena para que corras.
This is longer and shifts the focus to “so that you can run,” rather than simply stating suitability.

Why is distancia feminine singular? Can it change?

Distancia is inherently a feminine noun in Spanish; its gender doesn’t change. You only change the adjective that describes it (e.g. distancia larga, distancia corta, distancia ideal), keeping the adjective in feminine singular form.

Can I replace buena with another adjective like ideal or adecuada?

Absolutely. You could say:

La distancia entre la escuela y el parque es ideal para correr.
La distancia entre la escuela y el parque es adecuada para correr.
Just remember the adjective must agree in gender (feminine) and number (singular) with distancia.

Is this sentence specific to Spain or would it work in Latin America?

It works perfectly in all Spanish-speaking regions. Prepositions like entre, the use of definite articles, and the para + infinitive construction are standard throughout the Spanish-speaking world.